This award recognizes the exemplary efforts and significant contributions of a missing children's nonprofit organization in protecting and aiding missing children and their families.

Citation Presented to the Polly Klaas Foundation for its outstanding contribution and commitment to missing and exploited children.

Since its inception in 1993, the Polly Klaas Foundation has helped more than 7,600 families of missing children and has worked closely with law enforcement to bring missing children home. The Foundation:

Operates a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week missing children hotline.

Provides search assistance to law enforcement agencies through its intake and transmission of leads.

Provides assistance to families of missing children.

Distributes missing children fliers nationally through its National eVolunteer Force.

Operates a missing children Web site.

Coordinates local and national media exposure of missing child cases.

Provides families with referrals to nationwide resources during the search and after the child comes home.

The Foundation distributes its Child Safety and Internet Safety Kits to families around the world. When parents order the Internet Safety Kit, they receive Web Wise Kids program components to share with their children. The Foundation distributes more than 100,000 kits every year.

The Foundation continues to support families and children who were abducted, missing, or victimized through their incredibly difficult journey. The work of the Polly Klaas Foundation has significantly improved public awareness of the problems associated with missing, abducted, and victimized children. The strength in the Foundation' s partnerships with fellow AMECO members, law enforcement agencies, and other like-minded organizations demonstrates its significant leadership in protecting children.